Pharmacy Students’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Emergency Contraception in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Keywords
Emergency Contraception, Education, Pharmacy, Students, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice
Abstract
Background: Emergency contraception (EC) is a critical intervention for preventing unintended pregnancies when used promptly after unprotected intercourse. Despite its accessibility, misconceptions and inadequate knowledge about EC among pharmacy students may hinder its effective use. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pharmacy students regarding emergency contraceptives and explore factors influencing their knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors towards emergency contraception. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted between December 2023 and February 2024 at the School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University. A structured and validated questionnaire was distributed to 366 pharmacy students in their third, fourth, fifth, and PharmD years. The survey was divided into four parts: demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practice. Bivariable and multivariable analysis were conducted to identify demographic factors significantly associated with knowledge about EC and attitudes towards EC. Results: The majority of participants were female (79.8%) with a median age of 22 years. Knowledge about EC was inadequate. Fifth-year and PharmD students, as well as those working in community pharmacies, exhibited significantly higher knowledge scores. Attitudes towards non-prescription EC were predominantly negative. Religious affiliation strongly influenced attitudes, with students without religious ties showing more favorable perceptions. Among students working in pharmacies, only 58.3% reported readiness to dispense EC, citing moral and knowledge-related barriers. Conclusion: Pharmacy students in Lebanon showed inadequate knowledge and largely negative attitudes towards EC, underscoring the need for educational interventions in pharmacy curricula to address misconceptions about EC among pharmacy students and improve their readiness to counsel and dispense EC in their respective communities.
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